Spain and Portugal

When the clock strikes 12 on New Year's Eve in Spain, revellers put 12 grapes in their mouths. The trick is to finish them all by midnight so good fortune will befall you throughout the new year.

Scandinavia

In Sweden and Norway one eats rice puddings. They place a single almond in one of the puds and whoever finds it, will await a prosperous new year (and perhaps a broken tooth).

Japan

In Japan slurping noodles without letting them break brings good luck and good fortune, so the last evening of the year is a loud affair. In fact the louder the better.

Netherlands

Here in the Netherlands we ring in the new year with fried doughballs sprinkled with powdered sugar or apple beignets. It's an oily affair, but the copious amounts of bubbles will wash it down smoothly. They don't bring good luck or large amounts of fortune, they are just really really tasty.